Solomon homer stahl



S. H. STAHL. ELECTRIC CONTACT DEVICE.

N0. 585 293. Patented June 29,1897.

(No Model.)

W/Z NESSESF w MENTOR n v fl ATTORNEY.

SOLOMON HOMER STAHL, OF JOHNSTOWVN, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE STEEL MOTOR COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

ELECTRIC CONTACT DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 585,293, dated June 29, 1897. Application filed February 23,1897. Serial No. 624,542. (No model.)

T on whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SoLoMoN HOMER STAHL, of Johnstown, Oambria county, Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Contact Devices, of

which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of contact devices adapted to press against each side of a suspended conductor and be pulled along said conductor by a connection with the vehicle to be propelled.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple and effective device adapted to pass the ordinary conductor-hanger without dis 1 5 engaging therefrom and with as little friction as possible, adapted to pass easily around curves, and having other advantages, to be set forth hereinafter.

To these ends my invention consists in a :0 novel form of carrier for the contact-makers and in the construction, arrangement, and combination of parts which I will now describe.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a top 2 5 view of my improved device in operative position. Fig. 2 is a side view thereof. Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of one of the contact-spools, showing how it is secured to the carrying-fram e.

The contact-making spools A A are mounted on vertical pintles B B. The carrier is composed of a plurality of links 0 C. These links are pivotally connected, as shown, by the pintles B B, so that each of the spools A 5 A is carried above one of the joints of the carrying-frame.

To allow of ready repair and adjustment, I rivet a head h upon the top of each pintle and insert a sleeve-bushing b between the spool and the pintle and washers w 10 below and above the jointed ends of O C, securing the whole together with a nut n.

The end sections 0 O of the jointed carrier are bent downward and laterally, so as 5 to bring their outer ends in alinement with each other and allow of securing them upon the rod B, so that they may slide along said rod. Encircling this rod is the spiral coinpression-spring S.

Connection with the vehicle is made by a rope T, which I prefer to secure to the frame at r andr so as to pull from a point slightly back from the center of the device. This method of connecting may be altered according to the design of the switches and cross- 5 5 ings used.

Electrical connection with the vehicle may be made by r or in any other suitable manner.

Many equivalent methods other than the single compression-spring for producing the required separative pressure between the end links of the jointed frame will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.

J represents the suspended conductor, and H represents one of the hangers from which it is suspended.

The operation of my invention is now clear. The device is placed upon the conductor by compressing the spring S and allowing the spools A A to bear alternately against opposite sides of the wire, thus placing the joints between the links 0 O beneath the conductor and alternately on opposite sides thereof. The pressure of S upon O G will tend to force the links to assume a straight line. As this tendency is resisted by the pressure of the spools upon the wire, the force of the spring tends at all times to keep the device upon the conductor by sliding O outwardly along R. 8o

19 p are pins which extend downwardly from one end of each link and are designed to look any one of the links from too much movement toward a right line. This feature is not an essential one, but is useful when operating over certain types of crossings, as it will prevent the forward link from assuming a position too nearly parallel to R.

Upon engagement with a hanger each spool will in its turn be moved outward slightly, go and will by said movement compress the spring S. As the force of the spring is eX- erted upon all the spools, the pressure of each pulley is only very slightly increased by the lateral movement of any one spool.

It is clear that my improved device will pass easily around curves of as short radii as may be desired.

I do not limit myself to the exact construction here shown and described, as many modi- IOO fications may be made in the device shown without departing from the scope of my invention. On the other hand, I do not broadly claim novelty in the construction of a device with alternately arranged spools springpressed against the sides of the conductor, as I am aware that such an arrangement has been proposed.

What I do claim and desire to protect by J device adapted to exert a separative pressure Letters Patent, is

1. In an electric contact device, a contactcarrying frame composed of jointed links, the joints being located alternately on opposite sides of the vertical longitudinal center of the device.

2. An electric contact device adapted to be held to the conductor by the pressure of a" plurality of contact-makers against the sides of the conductor and having a contact-carrying frame composed of links pivotally connected together, the pivotal connections being adapted to be located beneath the conductor and alternately at each side of the vertical plane in which the conductor is suspended.

3. A11 electric contact device comprising a plurality of links pivotally connected together, a contact-maker carried above each of the pivotal connections and adapted to press laterally upon opposite sides of the conductor, a connection between the end links, along which they are adapted to slide longitudinally and means for imparting a separative pressure upon said end links.

4. In an electric contact device, .a jointed frame adapted to carry contact-makers on opposite sides of the conductor and'means for exerting a separative pressure upon the outer ends of said frame.

5. In an electric contact device, a plurality of spools adapted to engage opposite sides of the conductor, a jointed frame upon which said spools are carried, and a compression upon the ends of said frame.

6. An electric contact device, comprising, in combination, a contact-carrier composed of links connected by vertical pintles, contact-makers mounted about said pintles, a rod connecting the end links of said carrier, and a spring encircling said rod and adapted to exert a separative pressure upon said links.

7. In an electric contact device, the combination with a jointedcontact-carrying frame and means for exerting a separative pressure between the ends of said frames,.of means for limiting the range of movement of individual members of said frames.

8. Inan electric contact device, the combination with a frame composed of a plurality of links, of a projection extending from an individual link thereof and adapted to engage a neighboring link.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

SOLOMON HOMER 'STAIIL.

WVitnesses:

JOHN H. KENNEDY, H. W. SMITH. 

